Demystifying the transition from student to professional
Through applied research, psychometrics and professional development
What is the STP transition?
As we adapt from a learning environment to an employment one, the mindset and behaviours required of us change. Much of what has helped us to be successful in education will no longer serve us well at work. We need to transition from being a student to professional.
Until now that transition has been undefined and opaque to many - particularly those students who come from more diverse backgrounds.
Why is the gap widening?
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The rise of perfectionism as a behavioural trait
Social media presenting unrealistic expectations about the world of work
Reduced work and life experiences during formative years due to COVID
The success of widening participation and social mobility efforts - meaning more students from more diverse backgrounds are entering university life and professions
The focus on ‘authenticity’ or ‘bringing your whole self to work’, which has worked well for diversity but less well to set people up for a significant shift
The significant changes in student experience in education, raising student expectations of support, flexibility and personalisation in work
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The transition from student to professional has always required a significant shift in mindset and behaviours. However, in recent years, the gap between student and professional behaviours appears to be widening. We want to solve this problem and enable students, early careers professionals, and all those who support their development, to more easily, rapidly and successfully navigate the transition.
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You can find out more about our full research methodology and study on our STP research page here. Rather than focus on the binary state of ‘work-ready’ or not, we have conceptualised STP as a transitional (or liminal) state, which everyone navigates at the start of their career. We have mapped the psychological shifts in mindset and behaviour that enable a successful transition into the world of work. This enables individuals and those supporting them to validate, normalise, demystify and support the shifts required. We have adopted an evidence-based, research informed approach, led by early careers experts and occupational psychologists, to objectively map and model this STP shift. Our pilot involved 1,000 participants across 15 organisations.
Coverage of the STP
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White paper launch 8th April
- Discover the data, insights and findings from our large scale STP pilot with over 1,000 participants
- See which psychological shifts students & early careers hires are finding the most challenging
- Listen to the experiences of our pilot partners
- Find out which development interventions had the greatest impact
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ISE development conference 7th May 2025
Featuring best practise in student development from across the U.K. this conference focussed on ‘Building tomorrow's workforce: skills, growth, success’. We presented with our pilot partners on the STP research and pilot study.
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Article in 'What do graduates do?'
You can read more about our pilot study and the model in the 2024/25 edition of ‘What do graduates do?’ on pages 18/19
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ISE Blog: Why is the gap widening
There are key psychological shifts from student to professional and this gap is widening, explain Rebecca Fielding at Gradconsult and Ben Williams at Sten10.
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How graduates can prepare to enter the world of work
Written for students and graduate audiences in ‘The topic’ published by Prospects on 30th April 2025. This is a short introduction to the concept and research with top tips for an early careers audience.
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Insights: Mapping the transition from student to professional
A landmark study maps the psychological transition from student to professional, explains Rebecca Fielding at Gradconsult.
Some of our pilot partners include
